Interior Alaskans are weekly derby winners

Victor Joseph of Fairbanks and his 114.5 pound halibut caught July 2, from the Halibut Grove.

The pink salmon are in! Anglers are reeling in humpies in good numbers from the shores of Allison Point and the halibut weekly winners were both above the 100 pound mark.

Victor Joseph of Fairbanks took the first place weekly prize with a 114.5 pound flatfish he caught on the Halibut Grove. Ryan Howard of North Pole won the second place weekly prize with a 108.8 pound halibut he caught from aboard the Jamie Lynn.

The Kids Pink Salmon Derby is this Saturday, July 14. There is no registration for this free event and it is open to kids age 5 to 16. Kids will need to weigh in their fish at the derby weigh-in station by 5 p.m. to be eligible for prizes.

Photo courtesy Valdez Fish Derbies

Ryan Howard of North Pole was last week’s second place winner in the Valdez Halibut Derby. He caught this 108.8 pound flatfish on July 3, from the Jamie Lynn.

There are four age divisions, each with a first, second and third place prize. The largest fish on record in the Valdez Kids Pink Salmon Derby was reeled in by Janaea Koch of Valdez. In 2010, the 9 year-old reeled in a 7.78 pound pink salmon.

To participate, kids simply need to go fishing and weigh in their fish at the Valdez Fish Derbies weigh-in station located right next to the Harbormaster's Office on Chitina Dr. The weigh-in station will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Be sure to weigh in your catch before that 5 p.m. deadline. Once they've weighed-in their fish, young fishers will be given a ticket good for a free barbeque at Dock Point that will be held immediately following the closing of the weigh in station.

In further halibut news, Bonnie Woods of Valdez is still leading the overall derby with the 179.2 pound halibut; Steven Adams of Valdez is holding onto second place with a 136.1 pound halibut he caught May 23. Mike Hostager of North Pole is currently in third place with a 135.9 pound halibut he caught June 30 aboard the Dan Orion.